The impact of mental toughness training program on psychological well-being and resilience in cancer patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract / Summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of a mental toughness education program on the psychological well-being and resilience of cancer patients. This randomized clinical trial recruited 32 adults with cancer from Baqayi Hospital 2 in Ahvaz. The participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group received the psychological resilience-based educational intervention. Data were collected using four questionnaires, including the Ryff Psychological Well- Being Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Clough Mental Toughness Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 25. The average age of the participants in this study was 46.47 ± 10.21 years. The mean mental toughness scores before the intervention were 120.5 and 110.81 in the intervention and control groups, respectively. After the intervention, the mean scores increased to 164 and 111.88, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The overall mean resilience scores before and after the intervention in the intervention group were 49.56 and 108.63, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The overall psychological well-being score decreased immediately after the intervention but increased one month later. However, this change was not statistically significant. Based on the results of this study, psychological resilience education has a positive impact on resilience, psychological well-being, and certain dimensions of social well-being in patients with cancer. Therefore, interventions focused on developing psychological resilience, with an emphasis on increasing resilience and psychological well-being, can lead to positive outcomes in patients with cancer.

Related Clinical Guidelines